DR. KING XIONG

DR. KING XIONG is a contributor to the new book “A Career in Student Affairs: Reflections from Hmong Student Affairs Educators.” In his chapter, titled "FROM REFUGEE CAMP TO COLLEGE CAMPUS," Dr. Xiong shares with us about coming from a Hmong refugee, low socioeconomic, first-generation college background, he places high value on educational attainment as a source of social and economic mobility and many reasons why he is dedicated to working in higher education to lift others.

“College truly provided my family with the opportunities to escape poverty and find happiness. When my older siblings graduated from college, they were able to secure professional and financial stability to help our family. We moved from a crowded house in a rough neighborhood to a more suitable home in a resourceful community. For me, my college experience helped me grow as a leader and develop a passion for education. If it was not for the opportunity to attend college, I would not grow into the person who I am today. I decided to work in higher education because I believe in its value and importance for positive change…” - Dr. King Xiong.


A CAREER IN STUDENT AFFAIRS highlights the unique experiences of Hmong student affairs professionals from a wide range of professional levels, institutional settings, and functional areas. Each author shares a journey into student affairs and how this was navigated to become a student affairs career. Each chapter also concludes with advice for Hmong students who are considering a career in student affairs and provides insights for prospective and current Hmong college students. This book is a great resource for student affairs professionals, faculty, and institutional leaders working with Hmong students exploring career options in higher education. Because many of the professionals were the first in their family to enter higher education, reading their experiences can be very beneficial to many Hmong students.